The AFL remains tight-lipped on when it will announce whether Essendon face punishment from the league over the club’s anti-doping saga.
The league received a copy of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority’s (ASADA) investigation last Friday and the Bombers also received a copy over the weekend.
AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon is now going over the report and will decide whether the league should lay charges against the Bombers.
This is separate to whether ASADA decide to charge Essendon for anti-doping offences.
The league’s deputy chief executive Gil McLachlan refused to comment on what the process would be if Dillon recommends charges.
“If any action is to be taken, he’ll make a decision when it’s appropriate,” McLachlan said.
“I’m not sure when that’s going to be.
“As I’ve always said, we’re keen to bring this to a head before the finals and we’re hopeful that will be done.
“But the process has to play out and … first thing’s first, is make a decision whether any action needs to be taken.”
McLachlan hit back at criticism that he and AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou went to the United States last week on a fact-finding trip with several senior club administrators.
“I’m bemused – I think that’s criticism from the media,” McLachlan said.
“I’m not sure anyone in the public really cares or our clubs.
“The reality is we’re all on phone, we’re on email – we’ve been awaiting the report.
“The report has been finalised – he (Demetriou), like all our commissioners, now has the report.”
Demetriou is not due back until Wednesday as he is speaking at an international conference.
McLachlan would not respond to comments from former Essendon star Tim Watson, the father of current Bombers captain Jobe.
Tim Watson said earlier on Monday that the AFL has already decided to deduct points from the Bombers over the supplements saga – and will do so after the home-and-away season finishes later this month.
Watson also believes the AFL had already worked out its potential punishment prior to the ASADA report being delivered last Friday night.
Essendon have been under ASADA and AFL investigation over last year’s supplements program at the club since February 5.
